Æ10

Argos maintained an unusual degree of political independence throughout the fourth century, refusing to join either side at Leuctra and pursuing a foreign policy that frequently put it at odds with both Sparta and the emerging Macedonian hegemony. Small bronze issues like this one served the internal economy of a polis that was never quite aligned with the dominant powers of its day. The "var." designation against BCD 1120 suggests a die combination not fully catalogued in that landmark sale — not uncommon for Argive small bronze, where the volume of surviving pieces continues to outpace systematic study.